steviegenie, I'm in the business and KNOW for a fact. This isn't opinion.

This isn't agreeing to disagree. It would be exactly like saying a Rooms To Go $600 sofa is every bit as good as an $8,000 Henry Don.

Your opinion is that you've seen a few dresses for $200 that are just as good as an $800 dress.

I've been a part time image and wardrobe consultant for the past 12 years and have clients that trust me to spend thousands of dollars on their behalf. I would be out of business if I spent $1,000 on a mother of the bride dress my client could have found for $200.

While you don't have to spend a lot of money on a good dress (discount shopping), as a rule, you get what you pay for.

Well, again I disagree.
I am in marketing/advertising. I KNOW the insane amount of money companies spend on making their "name". That expenditure is passed onto the consumer in the form of higher prices. Big name = big money (not always because it is a better product).

The place near Port Authority is called The Bridal Building. Its hours are somewhat erratic, but I know brides who have found great dresses there--not sure what MOB dresses are like.

Kleinfeld's bridal dresses start at about $1800. I think MOB will probably be the same. RK Bridal will be somewhat less than that.

If it's a late afternoon outdoor wedding, you might be better off at one of the specialty shops that are listed above.

That's the thing, you disagree.

You are stating your opinion, not fact.

I am stating fact, not opinion.

Gotta disagree with you on this one, GoT. I disagree with both the original opinion, and that your opinions are also "fact".

In any regard, the OP will be making her own shopping and purchase choices. She has some good places to start shopping.

I do agree to shop at non-Federated stores if you want to find something different from what you can find at "home".

jll said she wanted moderate to high end. A designer label a brand bearing the name of the designer, and usually indicating exclusive materials, limited production, and higher price. I'm not talking about a mid range dress like Saks or Bloomies private label but Chloe, Prada, etc, along those lines.

You can get a dress at any price point but to me, high end means high end.

Actually, it IS fact that companies pass their (substantial) advertising costs onto their consumers. And it ISa fact that "big-name" designers spend more on advertising and creating a "name" for themselves through advertising, marketing, paid product placement, giving items to celebrities, etc, etc, etc . You do the math.

And by saying "I disagree" I was simply trying to be polite and not act like a know-it-all.

Aaaaaaaanyway, jll -- do yourself a favor and follow my advice. You will have a huge selection of syles, designers and price points on that stretch -- much more than you would in SoHo or Bloomingdale's or Bergdorf (and I am a HUGE Bergdorf fan). You'll be able to find a dress, fabulous shoes and anything else you could want (jewelry perhaps?). Trust me and good luck.

Make an appointment and go to Kleinfeld's..

What about the high end consignment shops in NYC that sell only top designer clothes? I believe there are several (I ran across them last weekend while searching for NYC consignment shops for a trip in august w/my daughter). You're $$$$ would go alot further there, and these are clothes that have may times been worn once or twice. Just a thought.

I just skimmed this thread, so forgive me if this has been mentioned, but I didn't see if you said where you're coming from. Assuming you'd have access to the same major department store chains, it would seem that your desire to do your dress shopping in NYC would arise from your wish to find a store that would not be in your hometown. I think that would lead you to either Kleinfeld's or the above mentioned boutiques.

One note of caution: Many smaller specialty stores will have samples and then order the dress for you in the size and/or color you want. That would require a return trip or trips. And even if you find something to your liking in stock, very often there are alterations that need to be done. I realize that you can buy the dress and have the alterations done at home, but many people prefer to have it all done by the store. My point is: are you prepared to make follow-up trips back to NYC?

You may be able to getting something nice at a bargain price at Filene's Basement.

I would go to Lord and Taylor's on 5th Avenue at 38th street. I would then walk up fifth avenue to Saks, on 5th Avenue at about 49th street. Continune on 5th avenue to 59th street. Walk east to Boomindales on 59th and Lexington Avenue. Good Luck. I hope you find something you love!

Lord & Taylor never lets me down. I shop at all the other places mentioned, even the Lord & Taylor nearest me here in New England; the Fifth Avenue store is superb for selection, value, and price. And you probably won't see your dress on someone else at your son's wedding.

Jil it would really help if you defined your budget more clearly. Moderate can mean $200 or $1000.....we can give more help rather than just throwing out all sorts of possibilities. Do you want a designer name, as in Prada or Badgely M.?

Carolina Herrera.

Carolina Herrera.

Carolina Herrera.

TTT